ASU offensive line takes new shape

Shawn Lauvao played some tackle in high school, but that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

He came out of Farrington High School in Honolulu with almost all his credentials as a guard and has played there exclusively at Arizona State, starting 17 consecutive games on the left side.

The junior knows it will be a different world Saturday at Washington when he makes his first start at right tackle, the toughest position to fill this season. Redshirt freshman Adam Tellostarted the first four games, then was replaced by junior college transfer Tom Njunge, who was flagged for three false-start penalties last week at Oregon State.

Now the 6-foot-3 Lauvao will get a chance playing next to 6-6 Paul Fanaika. True freshman Zach Schlinkof Peoria will get his first career start at left guard as ASU tries its third offensive line combination going into the final third of the season.

"There's a big difference," Lauvao said. "Now I actually have to play with technique. Coach has been reiterating to me I've got make sure I have a good kick, you can't lean, you've got to have a good punch, good footwork. For the most part, it's been fun. He's asking me to do this. I want to do whatever I can to help the team."

Shifting Lauvao probably would not have been necessary had redshirt freshman Matt Hustadnot required addition knee surgery that took him out for the season. Lauvao began practicing at tackle in an off week before the Oregon game Oct. 25 but stayed put while Njunge got two more chances.

"I'm open to it," Lauvao said. "I'm feeling more confident now that I've actually got to practice at it and more live situations."

Lauvao had a holding penalty against Oregon State but somehow steered clear of the six false starts that repeatedly put ASU in first-and-15 situations. "It was loud, but not that loud," he said. "It's more everybody is just on edge."

The 6-4 Schlink first was called on to play on special teams and now becomes the first of four true freshman offensive linemen to get a start. Andrew Sampson, Kyle Johnsonand Patrick Jamisonare redshirting.

"He (Lauvao) was pretty good against the scouts," coach Dennis Ericksonsaid. "He hasn't played out there in a game. But he's very athletic, so he brings us a little bit more pass protection-wise in particular. The problem is you're changing two positions, and Zach has never played. He's got a lot of talent and a great future, but we'll see what happens. It'll be a hell of a learning process. The thing I like about him is he loves the game of football. We've got to get guys in this program that love the game and have a passion for it. He'll give us everything he's got."

Schlink played at Centennial High School but missed most of his senior season due to a knee injury.

"Come game time, I'm just flying around, not stopping until the whistle, getting everybody going," Schlink said. "It's helped a lot getting in the past couple of games because it's given me an eye on what it's going to be out there on the field. The first I got in I was a little nervous, but the next play I was feeling just as comfortable as I've ever been.

"They're giving me a chance, and everybody is looking at the offensive line right now. It definitely gives me a little jolt of enthusiasm."